Hi everyone,

Sorry to ask yet another question about the Stream MP3 HU as I know there have been many previous threads but searching through some of the many threads I can't quite see the answers that I'm looking for.

Basically I have a non MP3 stream in my Octy and I see on Ebay that there are a couple of MP3 versions available at a reasonable price.

My questions are:

1. Does the MP3 Stream display all the song, album names via the ID3 tags?

2. Should I still be able to connect my current CD autochanger to the new HU as normal?

3. Can I buy an AUX cable to connect to the rear of the HU or does this need to be part of a new electrical harness?

4. Finally, there is a unit on Ebay which states that it needs a Skoda dealer to 'decode' it - what do you think this means? I think it means that it needs a dealer to provide the code. Do you think a dealer would provide this and anyone have any idea how much it would cost?

Sorry if I have repeated any questions from previous threads and any help is appreciated! Cheers.

Hi everyone,

Sorry to ask yet another question about the Stream MP3 HU as I know there have been many previous threads but searching through some of the many threads I can't quite see the answers that I'm looking for.

Basically I have a non MP3 stream in my Octy and I see on Ebay that there are a couple of MP3 versions available at a reasonable price.

My questions are:

1. Does the MP3 Stream display all the song, album names via the ID3 tags?

2. Should I still be able to connect my current CD autochanger to the new HU as normal?

3. Can I buy an AUX cable to connect to the rear of the HU or does this need to be part of a new electrical harness?

4. Finally, there is a unit on Ebay which states that it needs a Skoda dealer to 'decode' it - what do you think this means? I think it means that it needs a dealer to provide the code. Do you think a dealer would provide this and anyone have any idea how much it would cost?

Sorry if I have repeated any questions from previous threads and any help is appreciated! Cheers.

What type of MP3 player are you wanting to hook up? I got a Dension one for my Ipod, plugs into the back of the Non-Mp3 Stream Head Unit, but IIRC you'll loose the Changer.

1. Does the MP3 Stream display all the song, album names via the ID3 tags?

Yes, it does. It can also display the filename of the file if you prefer.

2. Should I still be able to connect my current CD autochanger to the new HU as normal?

It will plug straight in, assuming you have a stream already. However you may need to relocate the ground pin on the multiplug connector.

3. Can I buy an AUX cable to connect to the rear of the HU or does this need to be part of a new electrical harness?

Yes, you can and the parts listed are on here somewhere. The CD changer will remain operational if you use the aux in.

4. Finally, there is a unit on Ebay which states that it needs a Skoda dealer to 'decode' it - what do you think this means? I think it means that it needs a dealer to provide the code. Do you think a dealer would provide this and anyone have any idea how much it would cost?

It means they dont have the code, the problem will be getting it. The dealer will need to contact SUK for the code and here is where the fun starts. You need to prove that you own the car, and have a right to use the headunit. SUK will require a copy of the V5 and another proof of ID before releasing the code. You will also need the serial number of the HU. You may get lucky, but chances are they wont issue the code because the HU serial number and VIN dont match their records.

1. Yes (although they dont show up on the Maxidot screen, if you have it)

2. Yes, but again you would need to switch over one of the pins on the connecor, as the moved the position of the CD changer's earth pin, to make room for the AUX connection

3. It is part of the main connector, although it wouldn't be too difficult to just connect an aftermarket aux socket to the three relevant pins. (PM me for more details if you need them)

4. Yes, exactly. The radio doesn't have a traditional security code that you can type in - it needs to be reset through the diagnostic connection by a dealer. Not sure how willing they'll be to do this on one from ebay, as they could technically be "cleaning" stolen goods.

aah, beaten to it!

...p.s. I have a spare manual for an MP3 stream - PM me if you're interested

Thanks very much for the advice.

Yes, I have a stream already but the non-MP3 version.

The MP3 version that I see on Ebay has no code so if it's going to be a palaver to get hold of it through Skoda, I probably will give it a miss.

May look at a transmitter type gadget even though the sound quality isn't as good.

Pity I can't hook up an AUX cable to the non MP3 stream (I have read that the AUX capability is non enabled on this forum) and I don't really want to go to the expense of hooking something like the Denson in and losing the multi-CD. I really only wanted to hook up my Walkman mobile for occasional use. I think I'll just burn 7 of my favourite albums and leave it at that.

Thanks again for the help - this is a really good forum to be a part of!

1. Does the MP3 Stream display all the song, album names via the ID3 tags?

Yes, it does. It can also display the filename of the file if you prefer.

2. Should I still be able to connect my current CD autochanger to the new HU as normal?

It will plug straight in, assuming you have a stream already. However you may need to relocate the ground pin on the multiplug connector.

3. Can I buy an AUX cable to connect to the rear of the HU or does this need to be part of a new electrical harness?

Yes, you can and the parts listed are on here somewhere. The CD changer will remain operational if you use the aux in.

4. Finally, there is a unit on Ebay which states that it needs a Skoda dealer to 'decode' it - what do you think this means? I think it means that it needs a dealer to provide the code. Do you think a dealer would provide this and anyone have any idea how much it would cost?

It means they dont have the code, the problem will be getting it. The dealer will need to contact SUK for the code and here is where the fun starts. You need to prove that you own the car, and have a right to use the headunit. SUK will require a copy of the V5 and another proof of ID before releasing the code. You will also need the serial number of the HU. You may get lucky, but chances are they wont issue the code because the HU serial number and VIN dont match their records.

1. Does the MP3 Stream display all the song, album names via the ID3 tags?

Yes, but only if they are correctly inserted in the song file. I usualy edit all songs while they are still in WAV format (levels, equaliser...). After that I convert them to MP3 and through "properties" insert song name, album etc. If you do any kind of editing after the song was converted to MP3, your HU won't display ID tag anymore.

If you already have your songs in MP3 format and want to edit them, convert them to WAV, make your editing and then convert them back to MP3.

My experience is very good with music converted to MP3 with maximum bitrate and maximum quality. That way one CD doesn't hold as many songs as with lower settings, but quality is superb. I'm professionaly connected with audio and video so for me it's important to have good quality. The way I do the conversion nobody is able to notice the difference between WAV and MP3. I even asked one colleague of mine, sound engineer, to listen to the same song in my Octy, recorded in WAV and MP3 format and say which one is which, and he couldn't hear the difference.

Any idea whether it reads the ID3v1 tag, or ID3v2, or both..? I could run a fairly simple test to find out for sure

I think its the V2 tag it reads, if its not present then it uses V1.